National Monuments

The BLM’s National Conservation Lands include beautiful and diverse national monuments in 9 western states. The Antiquities Act of 1906 grants the president authority to designate national monuments to protect “objects of historic or scientific interest.” While the President establishes most national monuments, Congress occasionally establishes national monuments to protect natural or historic features. Since 1906, Presidents and Congress have created more than 120 national monuments, 25 of which are maintained by the BLM. Other agencies that manage national monuments are the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and Fish & Wildlife Service.